Fortnite down - How long are servers offline for update 40.40 and Overwatch event
Fortnite fans won't be able to play the Overwatch event until downtime comes to an end.
Fortnite studio Epic Games has taken the game offline for server maintenance and just in time for the release of update 40.40. The latest period of server downtime kicked off at 9am BST UK time on the morning of May 14. While server downtime is never a good thing, fans can at least download and install a new update during the maintenance period.
You'll need to install the update in order to play the game and check out the new content once server downtime comes to an end. And it's definitely worth doing, because the new update adds the long-rumoured Overwatch crossover, which launches in the month when the popular shooter celebrates its ten-year anniversary.
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The news was announced by Epic Games on X, alongside a confirmation of the server downtime.
"Answer the call and jump in tomorrow for the latest Zero Build changes in Battle Royale!" reads an Epic tweet.
"Downtime for v40.40 begins at 4 AM ET (8 AM UTC) with matchmaking ending shortly beforehand."
For UK fans, this means that Fortnite will be taken offline in full at 9am BST, while matchmaking will be disabled at 8.30am UK time.
The server status page confirms that the game will be offline for a grand total of 90 minutes, although there's a chance timings will change.
This means Fortnite and all companion game modes should be back online from 10.30am BST UK time at the earliest.
Daily Express will update this article with all the latest developments, so keep checking back for confirmation about the Fortnite server maintenance.
In terms of new content, Fortnite fans will be able to grab skins based on popular Overwatch heroes Tracer, Genji, D.VA and Mercy.
The Fortnite map will also undergo multiple changes, adding new points of interest based on Overwatch battlegrounds.
This includes new Points of Interest based on Hanamura, King's Row and Buasan Drum Pavilion. Various Overwatch-style Watchpoints will also be added to the Fortnite Island.
Elsewhere, Fortnite fans will be able to utilise a number of new Overwatch weapons and items. This includes the Caduceus Staff and Pulse Pistols.
